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Emmanuel Kafe
THE Government Analyst Laboratory results are now widely trusted following its attainment of the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certification.
The development will see the laboratory’s test reports and certificates now accepted internationally.
The ISO/IEC 17025: 2017 certification shows that a laboratory has demonstrated that it operates competently and generates valid results, thereby promoting confidence in its output, both locally and internationally.
The Government Analyst Laboratory examines samples of food and water, and others that are submitted at the test centre.
Last week, Ministry of Health and Child Care Permanent Secretary Dr Jasper Chimedza — represented by the chief director for human resources, Dr Simon Nyadundu — received the certification at a handover ceremony in the capital.
He said the certification has helped the laboratory improve its capacity, thereby helping in clearing a huge backlog.
“The Government Analyst Laboratory adopted the ISO/IEC 17025:2017, a quality management system for analytical and laboratory testing laboratories in 2019.
“The lab has since improved its capacity through capacitation and training and can now provide its clients with exceptional services,” Dr Chimedza said.
“However, we are aware that the Government Analyst Laboratory is currently battling to clear a backlog of samples.
“Almost 1 500 from some deceased cases for toxicology analysis. This is mainly due to the challenges which the lab has faced in terms of equipment, which continue to break down because it is too old.
“Despite all this, the lab has not lost its focus on providing customer-oriented services.”
The laboratory’s director Mr Munyaradzi Musiyambiri said the accreditation will give the facility credibility globally.
“The importance is that whatever we produce is now internationally recognised,” he said.
The laboratory plays a critical role in fighting endemics and outbreaks such as cholera and malaria.
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) deputy representative to Zimbabwe Mr Louis Muhigirwa said the accreditation will become a game changer on the agri-food systems scene.
“This will lead to improved and timely strategic planning to better manage potential risks and be ready to take advantage of new opportunities.
“Institutions like the Government Analyst Laboratory that generate science-based data become very critical for capacitation to world-class standards,” he said.
“We need ISO-accredited laboratories that produce internationally recognised test results to support science-based decision-making during production, processing, transportation, trade and consumption of food.”
The laboratory received support for ISO accreditation through the European Union-funded and Food and Agriculture Organisation-run SAFE Project, under the Zimbabwe Agriculture Growth Programme.
Online Reporter